Transplant patients from Royal Papworth Hospital won an incredible 49 medals at the British Transplant Games and also retained the ‘best heart and lung team’ trophy after a successful sporting weekend in Nottingham.
In total 35 competitors represented our hospital in a number of different sports, including nine new team members who all received their heart, lung or heart-lung transplants at Royal Papworth between 2021 and 2023.
The success of our team included 15 gold medals, 13 silver medals and 21 bronze medals in a very competitive field that included other heart, lung, kidney, liver and stem cell transplant recipients.
Such has been Royal Papworth’s continued commitment to the Games, that this year marks the 17th time since 1987 that the team trophy has come home to our hospital.
Representatives from Team Royal Papworth collecting the 'best heart and lung team' trophy
What’s most important though is the opportunity that these Games provide for our patients.
Ann Thompson, Team Manager, explains: “It’s about personal achievements and shared experiences with other transplant recipients. It’s about remembering their donors and acknowledging the care provided by staff at Royal Papworth Hospital and the support of their loved ones.
“For some, taking part has helped them realise how much is achievable thanks to this life-changing transplant. Just a few years ago many could not walk 100m, let alone run 400m or 800m, cycle 10k or play pétanque, table tennis or more.
“I am very proud to be team manager and am already looking forward to next year’s British Transplant Games in Oxford.”
Ten-pin bowling was one of 23 different events at the British Transplant Games 2024
This news follows shortly after three Royal Papworth patients contributed to national success at the European Transplant Sports Championships in Lisbon, Portugal. Fran Middleton, Karen Hodgson and Nick Condon were part of a 70-strong Great Britain and Northern Ireland squad that brought home two team trophies for their achievements across 15 different sports.
Nick, Karen and Fran with two trophies won by Team GB at the European Transplant Sports Championships in Lisbon
Congratulations to every member of Team Royal Papworth who has participated in these sporting events. Thanks also to staff, supporters and volunteers who helped cheer everyone on. We are very proud of you all.
Further photos from the British Transplant Games 2024 can be found on our Facebook page.